Written answers

Thursday, 8 November 2007

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Beef Imports

5:00 pm

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the rationale behind her apparent disregard for the threat posed to the farming industry here by the importation of Brazilian beef. [27846/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I reject the Deputy's allegation that I would disregard any threat to the farming industry in Ireland. Conditions for trade in animal products with third countries follow the principles established under agreements of World Trade Organisation and the International Organisation for Animal Health. The European Commission is mandated to negotiate these on behalf of the European Community and, through its Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), to monitor their compliance in third countries it has approved for trade with the EU. This approval is on the basis that the Commission adjudges the third country's controls offer an equivalent level of guarantee for the protection of animal and human health to those being operated in the Community. Where there are risks to the public or animal health in the Community from disease outbreaks occurring in approved third countries Safeguard Measures are invoked restricting or banning imports from the affected country or region until the risk has been eliminated.

I have consistently pointed out at EU level that produce imported from third countries must meet standards equivalent to those required of Community producers. As you know Irish farmers are required to ensure that their production systems and farm practices fully comply with a wide range of EU Directives on such matters as traceability, animal health and welfare and consumer protection. I am firmly of the view that our farmers who respect and produce to the highest standards deserve fair play in the market place. In this context I have been in regular contact EU Commissioner for Health Mr. Markos Kyprianou. The Commissioner has assured me that the Commission will not hesitate to take the appropriate protection measures if a product, imported from a third country or produced in the domestic market represents a risk for the health of EC consumers, livestock or plants. I am continuing to pursue this matter with the Commission particularly in the light of the outcome of the most recent and of the forthcoming EU Food and Veterinary Office mission to Brazil.

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